Coin rejecting system for vending machine changers



Oct. 4, 1955 c. F. ROGIER 2,719,522

COIN REJECTING SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINE CHANGERS Filed Jan. '7, 1950 i3 Sheets- Sheet l CLARENCE F Romera JNVENToR.

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HTTORNEY 2,719,622 com REJECTING SYSTEM FOR vENDING MACHINE CHANGERSFiled Jan. 7, 195o C. F. ROGIER Oct. 4, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 QJ ...Y

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COIN REJECTING SYSTEM FOR VENDING MACHINE CHANGERS Filed Jan. 7, 1950 3Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent() COIN REJECTNG SYSTEM FOR VENDINGMACHINE CHANGERS Clarence F. Rogier, Chicago, Ill., assignor to JohnsonFare Box Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware ApplicationJanuary 7, 1950, Serial No. 137,312 4 Claims. (Cl. 1942) This inventionrelates to a coin rejecting system for vending machine changers. Morespecifically, it relates to a coin rejection system for a vendingmachine capable of receiving any one of a number of coins of differentdenominations, some of which require the return of change coins.

It is an object of the invention to provide means operating on the usualslug rejecting mechanism for preventing the acceptance of coins whenconditions exist which prevent the vending operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means operating on theusual slug rejecting mechanism which prevents the acceptance of coinsrequiring change when conditions prevail which make the return of theproper change impossible.

A further object of the invention is to provide indication to thepotential customer of the condition of the machine or the denominationof the coin to be used.

Yet another object is to provide adequate means for returning coinswhich are not accepted.

Another object is to return all coins when the machine is empty ofproduct or when the power is off.

These and other objects will become apparent from a study of thisspecification and the drawings which are attached hereto and are made apart hereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the slug rejector with the controlmechanism applied.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the mechanism of Figure l with partsremoved to show the control mechanisms in their power off or emptypositions.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2, but showing the parts in thepositions which they occupy when the change coins are exhausted.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of Figure1, showing the quarter and dime blocking means in inactive position byfull lines and in active position by dashed lines.

Figure 5 is a wiring diagram of the rejecting system combined with avending machine control system.

Slug rejector Referring to Figures 1 to 4, the numeral 1 represents thecase of the changer in which is mounted by means of suitable pins 3 aslug rejector 5 whch comprises an inlet hopper 7 which conducts thecoins inserted therein to the quarter, nickel and dirne cradles 9, 11and 13 respectively.

The pins of the cradle 9 will engage the periphery of any quarterdeposited in the funnel and will rotate about a center 15 to deect thecoin into` a predetermined test path, not shown. If the coin isacceptable, it will pass from the rejector at a point where it willengage and actuate the delivery switch 17. If the coin is notacceptable, it will pass into the coin return funnel 19 which terminatesin a chute 21, the end of Which isnot shown but which terminates in acoin return cup. f

The pins 12 of the nickel cradle 11 will engage the periphery of anickel and will pivot on the center ,23 to' deect the coin into a testpath. If the coin is accepted 2,719,622 Patented Oct. 4,- 1955 If thecoin is accepted, it will pass and momentarily actuate the deliveryswitch 17; if it is` not accepted it is discharged into funnel 19.

Accepted dimes pass into a mechanism, not shown, which produces a singleenergization of a payout sole noid 27 which serves to eject a coin fromthe payout tube 29 (see Figure 5). Accepted quarters produce fourenergzations of the solenoid. The nickels do not require change to beissued and are therefore directed to` the payout tube and excess coinsspill over into a safe,

not shown.

The coin return mechanism may be any one of a number of knownmechanisms. Specifically, it may be that disclosed i-n my copendingapplication, Serial No. 55,943, tiled October 22, 1948, for Multiple'Coin Operated Vendor, now Patent No. 2,685,951-,

It is to be noted that the cradles are returned to a normal coinreceiving position by weights 31, 33 and 35 respectively as soon as acoin has been deflected into the test path.

The structure of the slug rejector per se described above is old in theart.

Power a or empty conditions In order to prevent the acceptance of anycoins when the vending machine is empty or the power is otf, I havemodied the slug rejector somewhat and provided additional mechanismsforproduci-ng these results.

To prevent the acceptance of any coin, I have provided a crank 37 whichis mounted in bearings formed by clips 39 attached to the slug rejector5. Thus the crank may be oscillated about a vertical axis. The crank hasan arm 41 which is attened at the end and is adapted to bear on aprojection 43 mounted on the clearing gate 44 of the rejector.

The other arm 45 of the lever extends away from the rejector into thepath of a cam 47 which is carried by the armature 49 of a solenoid 51.

A lever 53 is pivotally mounted for rotation about a horizontal axisA ona pin 5,5. A tension spring 57 is fixed at one end to a pin 59 in theupper end of the lever and at the other end to a xed pin 61.

A transverse rod 63 is xed to the outer end of the armature 49 andcarries at one end the cam 47 described above, and has a section 65which bears in a notch 67 in the lower end of lever 53. A groove 69 isformed in the end of the rod land the actuator lever 71 of the emptyswitch 73 rides in th groove.

The switch, solenoid and other parts are suitably mounted on a plate 75which is mounted on the inside of case 1.

It will be noted that the gate 44 is pivoted at one side 77 while achannel 79 is formed at the other side adjacent the cradles. The gate iscontinuously urged toward the plate 5- by a spring 8l, so that thechannel will force the coins intocontact with the pins of the cradles.This is the position shown in Figure 3 and is maintained so long .as thesolenoid 51 is energized.

Should the power supply fail or should the vendor be emptied, thesolenoid will be deenergized and spring 57 acting on lever 53 will pullthe armature into the Figure 2 position in which the empty switch 73- isclosed to energize the empty lamp 74 and the' lever arm 4'5- is cammeddown by cam 47. This in turn causes arm 41 to move projection 43- andopen: gate 44 against the action of spring 81. The channel 79 is ,thusmoved away from the cradle pins so that any coins inserted in hopper 7returned to the customer.

Change coin rejection In order that coins requiring change may berejected when the supply of change coins is exhausted without preventingthe acceptance of the exact price ofthe product, I have further modiiiedthe slug rejector by adding a dirne and quarter reject magnet 83 whichis mounted on a plate 85 supported on the case 1. The armature 87 of themagnet is pivoted for movement between the solid and dashed linepositions of-Figure 4.

A spring 89 continuously urges the armature to the dashed line positionwhile the magnet, when it is energized, holds it in the full lineposition.

Fixed to the armature are a long finger 91 and a short finger 93. Theformer has an end 95 bent to project toward and underlie the quartercradle 9 while the latter has an end 97 bent so as to underlie the dimecradle 13 when the fingers are in the dotted line position.

A normally closed switch 99 is mounted above the magnet with itsactuator 101 in position to be depressed by the fingers when they occupythe full line position. The switch is thus held open while the magnet 83is energized, which is the case when the switch 103 of the nickel tubeis held closed by a supply of nickels. When the level of nickels dropsbelow that required to return change for the largest denomination coinused, switch 103 opens, magnet 83 is deenergized, fingers 91 and 93 aremoved to the dashed line position to block the cradles 9 and 13 andswitch 99 closes to light the nickel only lamp 105.

A double pole switch 106 is also mounted so that it will be actuated bythe armature of the magnet 83. Two contacts formswitch 107 and twoadditional contacts 109 form a second switch. The former is closed andthe latter open when the magnet is deenergized and the switches arereversed when the magnet is energized. Their functions will be describedas the wiring diagram is discussed below.

Assuming that the fingers 91, 93 are in the dashed line position (Figure4), a quarter or dime inserted in hopper '7 will be caught and held bythe corresponding cradle. These coins can be returned to the depositerby actuating the usual coin return lever or button disposed on theexterior of the vending machine (not shown), which depresses thescavenging lever 111 (Figure i) which is pivoted at 113. The arcuateedge 115 of this lever contacts the projection 43 described above andopens the clearing gate 44. This moves channel 79 away from the cradlepins. The gate as it opens actuates a iever 115 which is pivoted at 117and urged by spring 119 to retracted position, the lever carries coinejecting arms 121', one for each coin cradle, and serves to eject thecoins from the cradle pins when the gate is opened. The coins thusdisplaced are dropped into the coin return system.

Wiring diagram The rejecting system is shown in connection with a cupdrink type of vendor although it is obvious to those skilled in the artthat it may be used with a bottle, article or package vending machinejust as well.

Most of the components of the circuits have already been described andthe remainder will be described as they are reached.

Assuming that the machine is provided with product, in this case, asupply of cups to receive the product, and with a supply of nickels inpayout tube 29, empty switch 121 and 5t? only switch 103 will be closed.The

payout solenoid will also be in non-energized condition so that the cutout switch 123 will be closed.

Nickel operation If a nickel is now deposited and accepted by the slugrejector, the nickel delivery switch will be closed momentarily toestablish circuit A from main 125 through line 127, switch 25, line 129,delivery relay 131, line 133 to the other main 135. The relay closesswitches 137 and 139. Switch 139 closes circuit B from mein 135, throughline 133, relay 131, lines 129, 141, switch 139, line 143, shut oit'switch 145 (which is closed) and line 147 to main 125. The relay is thusheld energized. Switch 137 closes circuit C from main 125, through line149, switch 137, line 151, cup drop motor 153, line to main 135. Thismotor rotates cam 1.57 to open switch 145 breaking circuits A and B andcloses switch 159 to make circuit D from main 125 through line 147,switch 159, lines 161, 151, motor 153 and line 155 to main 135. Themotor will rotate the cam one revolution to open switch 159 and close145. The motor 153 also controls the filling of the cup with liquid bymeans of suitable controls (not shown) which are known in the art.

The switch 145 when it is opened by the cup drop motor breaks thecircuit E to deenergize coin return solenoid 51 as follows: main 135,line 163, solenoid 51, line 165, empty switch 121, line 143, switch 145,line 147 to main 125. The spring 57 therefore opens gate L24 so that allcoins inserted in the rejector will be returned.

Should the magazine 169 be empty at any time, the switch 121 will beopen and circuit E will be broken so that the gate will be opened asjust described.

In addition, switch 1'71 will be closed to establish circuit F throughthe empty light 74 from main 135, vline 173, light 74, line 175, switch171, lines 167, 143, switch 145, line 147 to main 125.

Dime and quarter operation The dime and quarter relay 83 is normallyenergized by circuit G from main 125 through line 147, switch 145, lines143, 167, empty switch 121, lines 165, 183, relay magnet S3, line 185,nickel only switch 103, line 157, jam switch 123, lines 189 and 131 tomain 135. This magnet, when thus energized, closes switch 109.

When the 10c and 25 delivery switch 17 is closed momentarily once by adime or four times by the quarter, it closes circuit H frornmain 125through line 127, switch 17, line 177, switch 109, lines 191, 129,delivery relay 131, line 133 to main 135 to energize the latter relayand circuits B and C described above.

Opening switch 145, as explained under circuit C, breaks circuit G anddeenergizes relay 83 to open switch 109 and close 107. The coin returnsolenoid is also deenergized by the opening of switch 145 as before, toreject all coins.

Closure of switch 107 establishes circuit J from main 125 through line127, switch 17, line 177, switch 107, line 179, payout solenoid 27,fused line 181 to main 135. Thus the payout mechanism is energized thesame number of times as switch 17, that is once for a dime and fourtimes for a quarter.

In the event the empty switch 121, the jam switch 123, or the nickelonly switch 103 is open, circuit G will not be energized and the fingers91 and 93 will position their projections 95, 97 under the cradles 9 and13 so that the dime or quarter deposited will be held on the cradleuntil the coin scavenging mechanism is actuated, switches 73 and 99 willbe closed and switch 73 is held closed while the solenoid 51 isenergized.

The empty light will be energized by switch 171 (ciri cuit F) if theswitch 121 is open and 171 closed.

If nickel only switch 103 or jam switch 123 is open, circuit K will beestablished from main 135, through line 163, switch 73, line 191, switch99, line 193, nickel only light 105, lines and 147 to main 125.

The slide locking magnet 197 is in a constantly energized circuit L frommain 135 through wire 199, relay 197, line 201 to main 125.

The magnet has an armature 2.03v which is pulledin by the magnet aboutpivot point .265i and is continuously urged outwardly by spring .2137.It'occupies the outward position when .the power is oif .for any reasonand when it is inthis position, it engages hook 209 on the pay out slideand prevents the retraction ofthe slide by spring 211 to a point whereanother payout could occur. This structure and its function is fully setforth in my copending case, as is the operation of the magazine andmagazine motor. Since these structures are not claimed, it is believedthat further description thereof is unnecessary.

Summary of operation Under normal conditions, that is with an adequatesupply of product in the magazine and of nickels in the payout tube, thepower being on, the deposit of a nickel will cause the dispensing of oneunit of the product.

When a dirne is deposited, one unit of the product will be dispensed andone nickel will be returned.

When a quarter is deposited, one unit of product and four nickels willbe returned.

While the machine is operating, all deposited coins will be returned tothe depositor due to the deenergization of the coin return solenoid 51.

Should the supply of product fail, the coins deposited will be returnedbecause the coin return solenoid is deenergized and gate 44 is opened.Simultaneously the empty light 74 will be lighted.

lf the power supply fails, all coins deposited will be rejected becausethe coin return solenoid is deenergized and gate 44 is open.

In the event the supply of nickels in the payout tube is depleted belowa level which will insure proper change being returned for the maximumvalue coin, the reject relay becomes deenergized and the cradles of themultiple value coins are locked in position by ngers 91, 93 to hold thecoins thereon. The coins will be returned by the scavenging mechanismwhich is manually operated by the depositor.

Simultaneously the nickel only lamp is lighted.

Should the payout slide be locked or jammed so that change coins cannotbe returned, the reject relay will be deenergized and the nickel onlylamp will be lighted as just described.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the form, structureand arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of theinvention. Accordingly, applicant does not desire to be limited to thespecific embodiment disclosed herein primarily for purposes ofillustration; but instead, he desires protection 'falling fairly withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What l claim to be new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of theUnited States is:

l. In a coin rejection system for a vending machine changer having aslug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return means, meansincluding a gate for defining a path between the inlet and return means,a series of movable deectors disposed in said path to selectivelydeflect different valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate formovement to open position to establish a path for said coins betweensaid inlet and return means which by-passes said deflectors, manualscavenging means for removing coins from the deectors, the improvementwhich comprises a mechanism movable between gate open and gate closedpositions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate openposition, rst electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closedposition, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions toprevent the movement of said deectors for the higher valued coins fromdeflecting coins and second electrical means for holding said stop meansout of engaging position, coin pay out means including an ejectormovable between rest and ejecting positions, means operable by saidejector in the rest position for energizing said second electricalmeans.

2. In a coin rait-action :system for a vending machine changer havingafslug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return meanmmeansincluding a gate for defining a path between the inlet and return means,a series of detectors disposed in said path to selectively deflectdifferent valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate for movementto open position to establish a path for said coins between said inletand return means which bypasses saiddeflectors, manual scavenging meansflor removing coins from thede'lectors, 'the improvement vwhichcomprises a mechanism movable between gateopen and gate closedpositions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate openposition, rst electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closedposition, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions toprevent the defiectors for the higher valued coins from detlecting coinsand second electrical means for holding said stop means out of engagingposition, a coin tube, an ejector therefor movable between rest andejecting positions, a switch connected to be opened by said ejector whenit is out of rest position, a switch, means responsive to apredetermined low level of coins in said tube for opening said lastmentioned switch and means connecting said switches in series with saidsecond electrical means.

3. In a coin rejection system for a vending machine changer having aslug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return means, meansincluding a gate for defining a path between the inlet and return means,a series of deectors disposed in said path and operable to selectivelydeflect different valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate formovement to open position to establish a path for said coins betweensaid inlet and return means which by-passes said deectors, manualscavenging means for removing coins from the deectors, the improvementwhich comprises a mechanism movable between gate open and gate closedpositions, means for continuously urging the mechanism to gate openposition, rst electrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closedposition, stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions toprevent the deflectors for the higher valued coins from detlecting coinsand second electrical means for holding said stop means out of engagingposition, coin pay out means including an ejector movable between restand ejecting positions, means operable by said ejector in the restposition for energizing said second electrical means, a nickel onlylamp, a switch means connected to be closed when said rst electricalmeans is energized, a second switch means connected to be closed whensaid second electrical means is deenergized and means connecting bothsaid switch means in series with the lamp.

4. In a coin rejection system for a vending machine changer having aslug rejector comprising a coin inlet, coin return means, meansincluding a gate for dening a path between the inlet and return means, aseries of deectors disposed in said path to selectively deilectdifferent valued coins therefrom, means mounting said gate for movementto open position to establish a path for said coins between said inletand return means which by-passes said dcectors, manual scavenging meansfor removing coins from the deilectors, the improvement which comprisesa mechanism movable between gate open and gate closed positions, meansfor continuously urging the mechanism to gate open position, firstelectrical means for holding said mechanism in gate closed position,stop means movable to and from deector engaging positions to prevent thedeectors for the higher valued coins from operating and secondelectrical means for holding said stop means out of engaging position, acoin tube, an ejector therefor movable between rest and ejectingpositions, a switch connected to be opened by said ejector when ,it isout of rest position, a second switch, means responsive to apredetermined low level of coins in said tube for opening said secondswitch and means connecting said switches in series with said secondelectrical means, a nickel only lamp, a switchrmeans connected to beclosed when said rst electrical means is energized, a second switchmeans connected to be closed when said second electrical means isdeenergzed and means connecting both said switch means in series withthe lamp. 5

References Cited inthe lile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 8 FryAug. 11, 1942 Osborne Aug. 17, 1943 Weiler Aug. 1, 1944 Mihalek Dec. 20,1949 Harris June 5, 1951 Donohue Ian. 22, 1952 ,dem fwn.,

